Low serum somatomedin activity in celiac disease. A misleading aspect in growth failure from asymptomatic celiac disease
Lecornu, M.; David, L.; François, R.
Helvetica Paediatrica Acta 33(6): 509-516
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-022X PMID: 738901 Document Number: 133475
In 4 children 7 months to 11 years old with coeliac disease, serum somatomedin activities (SMA) were consistently low, less than 0.40 U/ml. Basal plasma somatotropin values were not high and increased normally under arginine-insulin stimulation in 3 patients. Human somatotropin at a dose which usually increases serum SMA in children with somatotropin deficiency did not modify significantly the low serum SMA. However, in 1 child a clear-cut increase of serum SMA (0.22 to 0.82 U/ml) was noted on a higher dose of human somatotropin. In 3 patients, serum SMA was studied 3 weeks to 4 months after starting the gluten-free diet and was normal. A limitation of the somatomedin generation unrelated to a deficit in somatotropin secretion and probably resistant to somatotropin seems therefore to be present in coeliac disease.